Poisonous Plants

These plants are considered TOXIC (poisonous, possibly dangerous). These plants contain a wide variety of poisons and symptoms may vary from mild to fatal. Contact the local Poison Center for more specific information on these or other plants that may not be on this list. Many other plants not listed here will cause Dermatitis (skin rash). Exercise caution when using these plants around children and pets! NOTE: Plants marked in bold are known to have caused human fatalities.

Wild Plants in Yards, Woods, Swamps & Fields

Botanical Name

Common Name

Poisonous Parts

Actaea pachypoda /Actaea rubra

Baneberry

All Parts

Celastrus scandens

Bittersweet

Leaves, Seeds, Roots

Ranunculus repens

Buttercups

All Parts

Veratrum viride

False Hellebore

Leaves

Cicuta naculata

Poison Hemlock

All Parts

Cicuta douglasii

Water Hemlock

All Parts

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Indian turnip)

All parts, Especially Roots

Datura stramonium

Jimson Weed(thorn apple, datura)

All Parts

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold

All Parts

Ascelpias (several species)

Milkweed

Sap

Mushrooms(several species)

Mushrooms

All Parts

Atropa belladonna

Nightshade, Deadly

All Parts, Especially Unripe Berries

Toxicodendron radican

Poison Ivy

All Parts

Toxicodendron diversilobum

Poison Oak

All Parts

Toxicodendron vernix

Poison Sumac

All Parts

Phytolacca americana

Pokeberry, pokeweed

Roots, Berries

Phytolacca americana

Skunk Cabbage

All Parts

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia Creeper

Berries

Ornithogalum umbellatum

tar-of-Bethlehem

Bulb

Annuals, Perennials, Groundcovers & Vines

Botanical Name

Common Name

Toxic Parts

Aconitum

Monkshood

all parts

Anemone

Windflower

all parts

Arisaema

Jack in the Pulpit

all parts

Clematis

Clematis

all parts

Convallaria

Lily of the Valley

all parts

Datura

Jimsonweed

all parts

Delphinium x belladonna

Larkspur

all parts

Dicentra

Bleeding Heart

leaves, roots

Dictamnus

Gas Plant

all parts

Digitalis

Foxglove

leaves

Echium

Blueweed

leaves, stem

Euphorbia

Spurge

all parts

Gloriosa

Gloriosa Lily

all parts

Hedera helix

English Ivy

all parts

Helemium

Sneezeweed

all parts

Helleborus

Hellebore

all parts

Iris

Iris

roots, leaves

Lantana camara

Lantana

seeds, unripe fruit

Lathyrus Perennial

Sweet pea

seeds

Lobelia

Cardinal Flower

all parts

Lupinus

Lupine

all parts

Nicotiana

Nicotiana

all parts

Paeonia

Peony

Roots

Papaver

Poppy

all parts

Parthenocissus

Virginia Creeper

berries

Parthenocissus

Boston Ivy

all parts

Peyote

Mescal

all parts

Phoradendron

Mistletoe

all parts

Primula

Primrose

leaves, stems

Pheum

Rhubarb

leaves

Rudbeckia

Coneflower

all parts

Solanum

Nightshade

berries

Toxicodendron spp.

Poison Hemlock Poison Ivy

all parts

Wisteria

Wisteria

seeds

Woody Plants: Trees, Shrubs & Bushes

Botanical Name

Common Name

Toxic Parts

Aesculus spp.

Buckeye, Horse Chestnut

nuts, leaves, twigs

Azalea, Rhodeodendron

Azalea, Rhododendron

seeds, leaves, flower

Buxus

Boxweed

Leaves, Stems

Clycanthus spp.

Carolina allspice

sap

D. mezereum

Daphne

Berries (Red & yellow)

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea

flower bud

Ilex spp.

Holly, American Holly,English Holly

Fruit

Jasminium

Jessamin, Jasmine

Berries

Kalmia

Mountain Laurel

leaves, nectar

Laburnum

Goldenchain Tree

seeds

Ligustrum vulgare

Privet

all parts

Prunus spp.

Apricot, Cherry, choke cherry, Peach, Plum

Kernel in the pit

Quercus

Oaks

Foliage, acorns

Robinia pseudocacia

Black Locust

Bark, Foliage & Seeds

Sambucus

Elderberry

all parts

Taxus

Yew

all parts

Wisteria spp.

Wisteria

all parts

Bulbs

Botanical Name

Common Name

Toxic Parts

Amarylis

Amarylis

bulb

Caladium

Caladium

all parts

Colchium

Autumn Crocus

all parts

Crocus

Crocus

all parts

Galanthus

Snowdrops

all parts

Hyacinthus

Hyacinth

bulb

Narcissus

Daffodil

all parts

Ranunculus

Buttercup

all parts

Scilla

Bluebell

all parts

Tulipa

Tulip

bulb

House Plants

Botanical Name

Common Name

Toxic Parts

Aloe

Aloe

sap

Anthurium

Flamingo Flower

all parts

Areca catheau

Betal Palm

seeds

Caladium Hybride

Caladium

All Parts

Caesalpinia

Bird of Paradise

seeds, pod

Cycas

False Sago Palm

seeds

Diffenbachia

Dumb Cane

all parts

Epipremnum

Pothos

all parts

Hedera helix L.

English Ivy

Leaves, Berries

Ilex Aquifolium

English Holly

Berries

Iuphorbia

Crown of Thorns

sap

Lantana camara

Lantana

green berries

Nerium

Oleander

all parts

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

leaves

Philodendron

Philodendron

leaves, stem

Ricinus communis

Castor Bean

seeds, leaves

Solanum spp.

Jerusalem Cherry

all parts

Zantendschia aethiopica

Calla Lily

leaves, roots

Vegetable Garden

Botanical Name

Common Name

Toxic Parts

Solanum Tubersum

Potato

Foliage, Green parts of vegetable

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb

Leaf Blade

Salanum lycopersicum

Tomato

Vines

Animal Poisonous Plant List

Please note that this list is a reference only! You should contact your veterinarian for consultation and/or treatment if your pet has ingested poisonous plant matter.

The following list contains plants that have been reported to have systemic effects on animals and / or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The information is not all-inclusive, but instead, a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants.